The old-timers still called it the Alcazar when it opened in the 1950s on Boulevard de Maré. It must be said that the arthouse cinema, with its Spanish-style architecture, had taken place in the old ballroom, well known to the Marmandais. At the time, the place only had one room with 800 seats. In 2005, the Plaza was closed for security reasons by Mayor Gérard Gouzes.
The establishment, which was dilapidated, required major work to bring it up to standard in terms of comfort and projection equipment. They only started in November 2008, due to financial concerns with the complete demolition of the old cinema, excluding the façade, and will last 13 months in total.
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What values for cinema?
After five years of closure, on January 20, 2010, the cinema reopened with Philippe Stelatti, who has since died, at the helm. For its first year, there were ultimately nearly 85,000 spectators (exactly 84,821) who, in twelve months, entered the Plaza instead of the 65,000 expected (1). It was fifteen years ago and the current team has planned a big evening to celebrate this anniversary, even if it takes place a little later in the winter, namely on Thursday February 6.
“We stuck to the agenda of director Claire Simon, who is coming to present her film “Learn” which followed an elementary school in the Paris suburbs for several terms. His film synthesizes the popular education cinema that we defend in our association for the promotion of cultural activities in Marmandais,” reveals Gautier Fabbro, who has directed the cinema since May 2022.
Make an impression by offering a cinema screening right in the city center “to end the summer in style”
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Before this screening, the cinema team will pay tribute to former director Philippe Stelatti, who died suddenly in 2019 by naming room number 3 in his name. “Everyone is invited and residents will also be able to see an exhibition which traces the history of the place, which according to legend, is built on an old mass grave,” continues the Tonneinquais.
A new projector this year
Other events will punctuate this festive year, notably with film retrospectives. “For the record, the last film broadcast before the closure, in 2005, was “Avatar” and the third part of James Cameron will be released in December 2025,” says Gautier Fabbro. He would also like to make an impression by offering a cinema screening right in the city center “to end the summer in style”.
On the project side, the cinema should also be equipped with a new laser projector in 2025 which would allow room 2 to benefit from a clearer image. “It’s a system that consumes less than xenon lamps, which cannot be recycled,” explains the director. Unlike the Plaza, which never stops renewing itself.
(1) In 2024, 98,000 people have entered the Plaza.
(2) Entry will be free from 6:30 p.m., but it is recommended to reserve by email at [email protected]
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